The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Friday, November 19, 2010

FLORIDA FOCUS: Blogs, Equality, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

FLORIDA NEWS:

Florida Legislature in the Middle Ages...the Republican Party these days reminds me of the Taliban...looking towards Medieval society for inspiration. Personally, I prefer the MODERN world over either the Muslim or Christian extremist vision of a return to Medieval society.

Blue in Miami: '...if by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."'

North Florida Hispanic Association:The North Florida Hispanic Association, Inc. was established in 1993 to bring Tallahassee's Hispanic Community together. With members originating from such countries as Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Argentina (to name a few), this organization seeks to keep the Spanish speaking culture alive in this community through a yearly Hispanic Festival , social gatherings at The American Legion Hall, and sharing of food, recipes from Hispanic cuisine, music, folklore and other traditions. The Association is open to all Hispanics and non-Hispanics who have an interest in the music, arts and traditions of the Spanish-speaking countries. The North Florida Hispanic Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization.

Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus:The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus represents the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to the Florida Democratic Party. We are a statewide organization, with more than a dozen local chapters around the state, from Tallahassee to Jacksonville to Key West – and most major metropolitan areas in between. Our strength lies in the size of our organization and the ability of our local chapters and their individual members to stand up for equal rights, support candidates who support our community, and lobby for legislation and policies that recognize and strengthen our community.

The Netroots Coalition was created to help bring together bloggers and Netroots activists who support the Democratic Party. The mission of the organization is to contribute to the growth and influence of the Democratic Party, to establish and maintain a Democratic online community, and to promote the party and all party candidates for Democratic leadership throughout the state and nation. We also seek to assist and encourage Florida Democrats, including clubs, county, and grassroots organizations to get online and establish a communication network and promote online participation among Democrats. Go here to join.

Florida Democratic Party Small County Coalition

The SCC is made up of the counties in Florida that have less than 35,000 registered Democrats, which includes more than half of the counties in Florida. The mobilization and organization of small counties through the SCC is an important asset to Florida Democrats. As one of the finest examples of what cooperation within the Party can achieve, the SCC, Florida's largest Democratic voting block, gives Democrats from smaller counties a chance to deliver our message in underrepresented areas of Florida.

Mark your calendars for the next Smal County Coalition Convention on June 20-22 in Nassau County. Learn more here: http://www.doug2008.net/scc2008.html

Alternative Energy in Florida:

GREEN POWER SWITCH IN FLORIDA:

Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Florida, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider.

Here aree a couple of other options:

Tampa Electric’s Renewable Energy program:

When you participate in Tampa Electric’s Renewable Energy program, you're joining others who support the use of cleaner renewable sources like the sun and biomass (plant materials) to produce electricity. Our program gives you the opportunity to purchase renewable energy in 200-kilowatt “block” units at $5 each per month. There is no limit to the number of blocks you can purchase. Learn more about the benefits of renewable energy and how your participation will produce a positive environmental impact – and check out Tampa Electric's solar panel installations installed throughout the community.

You now have the opportunity to participate in Green Power Choice, the latest innovative program designed to protect the environment. Green Power Choice allows interested members to join their local electric cooperative in actively caring for the environment while supporting the environmental benefits of using renewable energy - in this case, methane gas - as a fuel source.

Or sign up here (based on your energy cooperative...available in Alabama and the Florida panhandle)

Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.

Here are some other alternative energy groups in Florida:

SolarCity Gainesville is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of solar and renewable energy in Gainesville and Alachua County. Go here for more info.

Jacksonville's Sustainable Future:Jacksonville's Sustainable Future is a resource for those who are concerned about Global Climate Change and want to do something, as well as a resource for those who want to learn more.

Our focus is on creating a better world for future generations.

Join us to discuss citizen awareness projects, personal endeavors, and other plans for a better future for Jacksonville, Orange Park, the Beaches, St. Augustine, Fernandina, and the other areas that make up Greater Jacksonville. Go here for more info.

We are working on a number of projects related to energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Please join us if you want to work towards a greener, cleaner, and healthier future for our community.

Here is a biodiesel cooperative in Florida. If you drive a diesel truck or car, check them out.

Brevard BioDieselBrevard County

Brevard Biodiesel seeks to promote the availability and use of clean-burning, renewable biodiesel fuel as a replacement for petroleum by raising public awareness of its environmental, economic, and national security benefits.

The Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA) is chartered to fulfill the following objectives:

1. To provide a forum for public transit service providers and affiliated organizations to exchange experiences, studies and to engage in meaningful discussion of mutual problems, concerns and issues. 2. To foster the improvement of public transportation in the state by promoting the beneficial use of research and factual study. 3. To act as a collective voice in promoting the recognition, use, expansion and enhancement of public transportation in the state. 4. To elicit cooperation efforts among member agencies, their employees, agents and customers, along with the general public to pursue and achieve common interests. 5. To represent the interests of member agencies, individually or collectively, in forums appropriate for the prosecution, enforcement or defense of issues of interest to those members. 6. To receive and apply funds for the achievement and furtherance of organizational purposes and objectives, including levying, assessing, charging and collecting dues from the membership of the Association. 7. To acquire, hold and own land, facilities, equipment and furnishings and do all things necessary and incident to carrying out the organizational purposes and objectives.

Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Miami-DadeFourth Wednesday of every month, 7:00PMHoja Nueva Restaurant at the Westin ColonadePlease attend the monthly meeting for the Miami Dade Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida. For more info: 305 632-0036

Miami Dade Cuban American Democratic ClubMiami Dade Cuban American Democratic Club Breakfast MeetingEvent Location: “Versailles” restaurant located at 3555 SW 8 ST Miami, FL 33135 Fourth Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m. (If this is the same Versailles Cuban restaurant that I know in California, the food is fantastic! Particularly the roast chicken and rost pork).

The Miami Dade Cuban American Democratic Club invites you to its next breakfast meeting at “Versailles” restaurant located at 3555 SW 8 StCost: $15 per person.

Sumter County Democratic ClubP.O. Box 1066 Wildwood, FL 34785General Meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of every month Sumterville Community Center

Tri-County Women's Democratic ClubGeneral Meeting at 9:30 a.m. on the 1st Monday of every month at the Sumter County Sheriff's Annex on Highway 466 @ Morse Boulevard.

Charlotte County Democrats meetingThe Charlotte County Democratic Club meets on the second Saturday of every month. Please join us at 9:30 AM for coffee and snacks. The meeting starts at 10 AM. Location is the upstairs meeting room at the Public Library on Aaron Street in Port Charlotte. Call 743-5560 for directions or more info.

And for those interested in a more fun way to be liberal, here are Florida's Drinking Liberal groups: